Cheshire Police Arrest 10 in Crewe Raids on Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light

Police in Cheshire continued an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse, forced marriage and modern slavery connected to a religious community in Crewe, with raids targeting properties linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (Arpol).

The BBC said police were continuing to investigate allegations connected to the community in Cheshire and that “Ten people were arrested on Wednesday as 500 police officers were involved in raids on properties connected to members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (Arpol).”

BBC

The Northwich Guardian reported that at “8.50am on Wednesday, April 29, more than 500 Cheshire Police officers” raided three addresses in Crewe, including “Webb House in Victoria Avenue,” described as the headquarters for Arpol.

Cheshire police said the raids also took in properties on “Nantwich Road and Badger Avenue,” and the Guardian said that after the raids “10 people were taken into custody.”

The Guardian added that police confirmed “nine people had been arrested” in relation to the investigation and that they were being held in custody, while also reporting that “a further 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences that do not relate to the investigation.”

CBS News similarly described “Some 500 British police officers” conducting raids on Wednesday morning and arresting “ten people on suspicion of various offenses including modern slavery, forced marriage and sexual assault.”

Across the accounts, the operation is tied to allegations that police say were reported in March and that police say took place in 2023, with the BBC stating the inquiry relates to “one woman, who was a member at the time offences were said to have taken place.”

Cheshire Police said the raids followed allegations made by a woman who had previously been part of the group, with the BBC saying police were made aware “last month” of allegations that “reportedly date back to 2023.”

The Northwich Guardian described that the raids came after “a woman in March this year made allegations of rape, sexual abuse, modern slavery, and forced marriage,” and it said “All of the alleged offences involved one victim.”

BBC

GB News similarly stated that “In March, detectives from Cheshire Police were made aware of allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery, reported to have taken place in 2023,” and it said “All of the offences involved one victim, a woman.”

The Guardian reported that the arrests came after Cheshire police were alerted in March about “a woman, now based in the Republic of Ireland,” who had made a complaint of being “raped and sexually abused at AROPL’s headquarters,” and it said the alleged offences took place in 2023 and involved the woman.

The Cheshire Constabulary update said that “In March 2026 Cheshire police were made aware of allegations of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery, reported to have taken place in 2023,” and it reiterated that “All of the offences involved one victim, a woman.”

The Times of India also said the investigation centres on offences involving “one woman who was a member of the group at the time,” and it described the range of allegations as “human trafficking, rape, sexual assault, forced marriage and modern slavery offences.”

While the BBC and Northwich Guardian focused on the investigation into allegations, multiple outlets stressed that police framed the operation as targeting allegations rather than the religion itself, with the BBC quoting the approach as an investigation into “the serious allegations which have been reported to us.”

Several outlets reported the nationalities and alleged offences tied to the arrests, while Cheshire Police leadership emphasized the scope of the inquiry.

“London — Some 500 British police officers conducted raids on facilities linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) group Wednesday morning, arresting ten people on suspicion of various offenses including modern slavery, forced marriage and sexual assault”

CBS News

The BBC listed the arrested suspects and said they included “A 30-year-old Mexican man arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, sexual assault and forced marriage offences,” “A 35-year-old British man arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and sexual assault,” and “A 44-year-old Italian woman, arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and sexual assault.”

The BBC also said “A further 13 people were also arrested on suspicion of public order offences, which do not relate to the investigation,” and it described that police initially said nine people were in custody before clarifying “the true number was 10 - seven men and three women.”

The Northwich Guardian quoted Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley saying, “This operation was the outcome of a detailed and robust investigation into reports of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery,” and it added that “this is not an investigation into the religion - this is an investigation into the serious allegations which have been reported to us.”

GB News carried the same statement from Wrigley, including “While those arrested are members of the group, I want to make clear that this is not an investigation into the religion,” and it quoted him saying “We treat all reports of sexual assault seriously and are committed to doing all we can to achieve justice.”

CBS News also quoted Wrigley’s language, saying, “Today's operation is the outcome of a detailed and robust investigation,” and it included his clarification that “this is not an investigation into the religion, this is an investigation into the serious allegations which have been reported to us.”

The Cheshire Constabulary update similarly quoted Wrigley, and it added that “Anyone with any information which could assist with the investigation is asked to contact Cheshire police atPublic Portalor call 101.”

Multiple reports described the group’s base and size in Crewe, and they traced its move to Cheshire to 2021.

The BBC said “About 150 people are understood to live at its base at Webb House, which was targeted by police,” and it described Webb House as being targeted alongside “raids on two other properties owned by Arpol.”

GB News

The Northwich Guardian said Webb House in Victoria Avenue is “the headquarters for the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light,” and it added that “around 150 people” live at the property.

The Northwich Guardian also said the group moved to Cheshire in 2021 from Sweden, buying and basing themselves at Webb House, and it stated that the group was founded by “Abdullah Hashem.”

The Guardian described the headquarters as “based at a former orphanage” and said “About 150 people live together in the sprawling, grade II-listed building in Crewe,” while also stating that “About 56 children are understood to be living at the group’s headquarters, where they are home-schooled.”

CBS News similarly said “About 150 people live in the Crewe headquarters, a Grade II-listed building that was previously an orphanage, including 56 children, according to The Guardian, which said they are home-schooled.”

The BBC also included a research quote from Dr Sarah Harvey of Inform, saying the group has “their ‘own specific beliefs and practices’” and describing how “They describe themselves as a new religious movement that is the only true religion for the current times that we're living in.”

Reactions to the raids included statements from lawyers representing the group and comments from people connected to the community.

“Several arrests made after allegations of sexual offences in a Crewe religious group GB NEWS Concerns had been raised over the alleged activities of members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe Several people in a Cheshire religious group have been arrested as part of an investigation into sexual offences and forced marriage”

GB News

CBS News reported that “Lawyers representing the group told The Guardian: ‘Our client has no comment other than to say that any wrongdoing is vehemently denied.’”

LBC

The Guardian also quoted the group’s lawyers, saying, “When asked about the recent arrests, AROPL’s lawyers told the Guardian: “Our client has no comment other than to say that any wrongdoing is vehemently denied.””

The Times reported that neighbours described feeling “intimidated” by the group and said they could be seen “marching around the compound in black clothes and beanie hats,” while it quoted a resident, Ian Shore, saying, “When they first moved in they were all nice and quiet,” and adding, “But then it started to get more and more … You can hear them marching.”

The Times also included comments from Husam, described as “a member of the sect who said that he was part of their outreach team,” who called the raid “way over the top” and said, “I think if you’re accusing a people of something, you should take them to the court, you should call them into the investigation.”

Husam also argued that police should contact families directly, saying, “Wouldn’t it make more sense and be cheaper and better that you would call the family that you’re suspecting of having a slave right to the police station.”

The BBC described that a group gathered outside Middlewich police station on Wednesday night, with “about 50 still around on Thursday,” and it said “The BBC understands they are members of Arpol or connected to it.”

The reporting diverged on key details, including the number of arrests and how the operation was framed.

The BBC said “Ten people were arrested on Wednesday” and later clarified “the true number was 10 - seven men and three women,” while the Guardian reported that “Police confirmed nine people had been arrested in relation to the investigation and were being held in custody.”

The Guardian also said “A further 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences that do not relate to the investigation,” while the BBC similarly said “A further 13 people were also arrested on suspicion of public order offences.”

GB News described “Several people in a Cheshire religious group have been arrested” and said the operation took place “at around 8.50am today,” while the Northwich Guardian specified “At 8.50am on Wednesday, April 29.”

The Guardian’s description of the group’s beliefs and social media presence differed from the BBC’s focus on the investigation and the research quote from Dr Sarah Harvey, with the Guardian saying the sect “blends tenets of Islam with conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and aliens controlling US presidents” and that “Followers wear black beanie hats and believe the sect’s leader can cure the sick and make the moon disappear.”

Washington Examiner used a more accusatory framing, calling members of a “heretical Muslim cult” and describing the group as a “new age Islamic movement headed by self-proclaimed prophet Abdullah Hashem,” while the BBC and Cheshire Constabulary update repeatedly stressed that police were investigating allegations rather than the religion.

Even within police statements, outlets quoted the same core message from Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley, but the surrounding narrative differed, with the Guardian emphasizing the Republic of Ireland-based complainant and the BBC emphasizing the ongoing investigation and raids.

After the arrests, police and local authorities focused on searches, safeguarding, and reassurance to residents, with multiple outlets describing ongoing activity at the properties.

The BBC said that “officers remain at the scenes, carrying out further searches,” and it described that police were continuing to investigate allegations connected to the community in Cheshire.

Metro.co.uk

The Northwich Guardian said that following the arrests “we are working closely with our partners to provide the appropriate advice and safeguarding to other members of the group,” quoting Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley’s remarks, and it also quoted him saying “I would like to reassure residents that there is no risk to the wider community, and patrols have been stepped up to provide reassurance to local residents.”

GB News similarly said “Officers are working closely with the local authority to support the residents from the property and appropriate safeguarding measures are in place,” and it stated that “Detectives are now conducting a search of the premises.”

The Cheshire Constabulary update said that “Following the arrests, detectives are now conducting a search of the premises,” and it added that “Officers are working closely with the local authority to support the residents from the property and appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.”

The Times of India reported that “Police said they are working with the local authority to support residents and ensure safeguarding measures are in place,” and it quoted a Cheshire East Council spokesperson saying, “Our priority is to ensure that those people who have been displaced are safe and supported.”

In addition, the Cheshire Constabulary update stated that the investigation has been supported by “officers from Europol, the Swedish Police Authority and the Garda,” and it directed anyone with information to contact Cheshire police via “Public Portalor call 101.”